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The Corps mobilizes to fight proposed budget cuts

Early childhood teachers and providers organizing and advocating for better pay, benefits, job conditions, and professional respect.

From March-April 2008 Issue | The California Child Development CORPS series
By Amanda Montague

The Corps mobilizes to fight proposed budget cuts 

The governor proposes to balance the state budget with deep cuts to children’s programs—including a more than 25% cut to AB 212 funding. But the state needs to raise revenues instead, says the California Child Development Corps and other organizations. “It’s supposed to be the Year of Education, not the year of education cuts,” says Sara Hicks-Kilday, staff support to the Corps.

Raise revenue

“It’s an important time to work in coalition against the cuts,” says Teresa Calle-Streicker, a long-time teacher who is now interning with the Corps. “Every aspect of education is going to be affected by this budget, from early childhood education to state colleges.” (See Children's Advocates Roundtable)

The state needs to “raise revenue and restore taxes that have been cut in past years,” she says (see Hot topics: Pushing for a fair budget). But at a recent budget coalition meeting, she learned that legislators “don’t seem willing to raise revenues—and are looking to slash crucial programming instead.”

Keep funding important programs

The Corps is working on a postcard campaign to “tell legislators how important it is to keep funding programs that help early care and education providers provide quality care for children,” Calle-Streicker says. Working with other advocacy groups, including the VOICE Coalition, the Corps is “going all over the state to get people involved. (It’s) a great opportunity for us as advocates for children,” she adds.

Save CARES: Victory!

First 5 voted in January to provide short-term funding the CARES program, thanks in part to advocacy by the Corps and other organizations, and will decide later this year about ongoing funds. Calle-Streicker says she’s getting her BA through a dual language program sponsored by San Francisco State University, First 5, and Head Start. CARES provides a financial incentive for many of the participants. “There are about 35 providers and teachers, an amazingly diverse group. The program aims to make sure we all get our BAs. We need to (keep connecting) higher education to better pay for ECE providers,” she adds.

Announcements

(Call 415-808-7327 for details)

  • Tell legislators that ECE teachers need to be paid for their education and experience. Bring your story and postcards to Sacramento or come to a Bay Area speaker training. For more information, contact 415-808-7327, cares@caccwrc.org.

  • Visit the Corps at the CAEYC conference (Apr 3-5) in the Center for Social Change. Attend workshops by Corps participants Ansina Smith, Tamara Dobson, and Marva Lyons.

For more information, contact:

If your county is not listed above, contact Sara Hicks-Kilday at cares@caccwrc.org, 415-808-7327. For spanish, contact Teresa Calle-Streicker, 415-808-4126.

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From March-April 2008 Issue | The California Child Development CORPS series

Sponsored by: Trio Foundation

Related topics: Advocacy and Community Building, Advocacy tips/resources, Budget advocacy, Budget advocacy, California Child Development Corps, Child Care and Early Care and Education, Child care budget activism, Child care/early care and education, Teacher/provider activism, Teacher/provider activism

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